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By Oscar Okhifo
A bribery and defamation scandal involving UK-based activist, Prof. Sandra Duru, also known as Prof. Mgbeke, has triggered outrage among concerned Nigerians, with the Coalition of Nigerian Youths describing the situation as a growing national embarrassment.
The controversy deepened this week after one Mr. Obinna Akudike, an indigene of Imo State, publicly alleged that Sandra Duru offered him a N2.5 million bribe to orchestrate a smear campaign against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
According to Akudike, who said he had known Duru for 15 years, the bribe offer came during the Easter period as part of a plot to blackmail the Kogi Central senator.
His confession comes just days after another individual, media personality Francess Olisa Ogbonnaya, made similar claims. Ogbonnaya accused Duru of coordinating a deliberate campaign to tarnish Senator Natasha’s image using doctored audio recordings and false allegations of sexual harassment.
In a statement issued Thursday and made available to journalists, the Coalition of Nigerian Youths expressed serious concern over the multiple allegations, insisting that they point to a coordinated attempt to silence Senator Natasha.
“This is no longer just shameful, it has become a national disgrace.”
the group declared in the statement signed by its National President, Abdul Mohammed Nasir; National Secretary, Victoria Ademola; and National Public Relations Officer, Ibeh Columbus Amaechi.
“It is regrettable that since Senator Natasha made her sexual harassment allegations against Senator Godswill Akpabio, we have witnessed a barrage of desperate and disgraceful acts aimed at silencing her,” the Coalition stated.
“Two people have now come forward to admit they were paid by Sandra Duru to smear the senator’s name.”
The group maintained that Sandra Duru could not be acting alone, suggesting that powerful individuals may be backing her efforts to discredit the senator. “The question we are asking is, who is behind this national disgrace? Who benefits from silencing Senator Natasha?” they asked.
The Coalition further called on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly by locating and prosecuting Duru for her alleged role in the blackmail scheme.
“This culture of shielding powerful individuals must stop. Sandra Duru must face the full wrath of the law,” the statement said.
They also urged those allegedly using her as a tool of political persecution to reverse course. “It’s not too late to do the right thing. Senator Natasha deserves justice, and all her privileges should be restored,” the group said, concluding with a stern reminder: “Karma is real. Injustice, no matter how long it takes, will always be repaid.